18 Nov Cuba Libre Joins Columbia Gardens Food Truck Plaza
Ribbon Cutting Planned for 11 a.m. on December 2
KENNEWICK, Wash. – Port of Kennewick, along with Rafael Najarro and his wife, Yeny, owners of Cuba Libre, Columbia Gardens Artisan Village’s newest Food Truck Plaza vendor, invite the community to help celebrate their grand opening.
What: Cuba Libre Columbia Gardens Opening Day event
When: Tuesday, December 2 at 11 a.m.
Where: 325 E. Columbia Gardens Way, Kennewick
Cuba Libre offers authentic Cuban food, such as Cuban croquettes, Cuban stew, and the popular Cuban sandwich. Cuban food is a fusion of Spanish, African and Asian influences. The traditional Cuban roast pork, a staple on Cuba Libre’s menu, is slow cooked with Cuban spices. They also serve Cuban espresso with coffee beans sourced from Florida and will offer “specials” to introduce more Cuban cuisine. Their plan is to operate Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Rafael escaped Cuba in 2016 as a political refugee in search of freedom. He arrived in Tri-Cities and waited six years before his family arrived in the United States. They started their food truck in 2025 with Yeny as main chef. Her recipes are passed down from her grandmother and her mother. They wanted to offer authentic Cuban food and share their country’s culture with the Tri-Cities community. And it is truly a family business because all four of their children also help with the food truck.
Columbia Gardens’ Food Truck Plaza is also home to Botanas Culichi, Frida’s Mexican Grill, Nana’s Kitchen and The Local Bite. Swampy’s BBQ restaurant is also located at Columbia Gardens.
Award-winning wineries, Bartholomew, Monarcha/Palencia and Gordon Estate, flank the food trucks. And that waterfront location is home to public art installations, with views of the Cable Bridge and diverse wildlife at the nature pond.
Each Columbia Gardens vendor sets its days and hours of operation. Visit ColumbiaGardensVendors.com for more information about Columbia Gardens businesses and amenities.
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Port of Kennewick is an economic development entity focused on developing assets to create sustainable family-wage jobs, build infrastructure and user-friendly transportation systems and enhance the quality of life within the port district.